Short for multifunction peripheral, a single device that serves several functions, including printing. Typically, multifunction printers can act as a printer, a scanner, a fax machine and a photocopier. These devices are becoming a popular option for SOHO users because they're less expensive than buying three or four separate devices. The downsides to combining all these functions in one device are:

If the device breaks, you may lose all of its functions at the same time.

You can only do one operation at a time. For example, you can't print a document and receive a fax simultaneously.